WJPA Sports

Continued rainfall has forced PONY Baseball & World Series Tournaments Inc. to modify the format of the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series. The two remaining unbeaten teams, Washington County, PA and Chinese Taipei, will play in a single championship game Wednesday evening (6 pm).  More than 50 volunteers worked from early morning Monday to enable that day’s games to be played. Heavy rains overnight put the field under water again. Ten hours of work by the ground crew and area professionals during the day Tuesday could not bring the field even close to “playable” as observed by the athletic trainer staff. Tournament officials, many of whom have multiple decades with the organization, felt that the playing surface had never been in worse condition despite all of the work Tuesday. That led to the cancellation of Tuesday’s game, forcing the format change.

Statement from PONY Baseball and Softball & World Series Tournaments, Inc.: “Due to continued heavy rainfall and unplayable field conditions, the PONY League World Series is unable to complete the remaining games under the tournament’s original format. The World Series must conclude Wednesday, Aug. 12, as all participating teams are scheduled to depart Thursday morning. Extending the tournament is not an option. With six teams remaining and limited playable time available, the tournament will move to a single-elimination conclusion. Washington County and Chinese Taipei, the only two remaining undefeated teams, will meet Wednesday night (6 pm) in the 2026 PONY League World Series Championship Game. We understand the disappointment this decision brings to the four other remaining teams. Every possible option was considered, but the combination of field conditions and the tournament’s firm travel deadline left no viable alternative. We thank all of our players, coaches, families and fans for their patience and understanding during an exceptionally difficult week of weather.”

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